10 year agreement, with mutual opt-out at 8. That should help fears for some fans that it is just going to happen again shortly. I know it will happen at 8 years, but at least I can watch 8 years of hockey and hope Bettman is gone by the time they renegotiate in 7 years to try to prevent the mess at year 8 that is inevitable.

At one point the Sharks franchise was almost awarded to Seattle. It took a lot of last minute dealing for San Jose to secure the deal. I believe it included their promise to build the "Shark Tank" which is a hockey specific arena (although they do play arena football there, it was designed for the Sharks for hockey), and not try to play in another arena somewhere not in San Jose. I like that arena they have because it's right in the historic San Jose downtown and easy to access.

I think the arena in Seattle is going to be awesome, and once its done, the whole area is going to just become sports junkie heaven between the 3 stadiums along the SoDo area. Hopefully it picks up that part of town with more shops and fun pre-game stuff to do, rather than just a bunch of scary warehouses where you pay to park and hope like crazy your car is still there when you get back. Eeek!

This. Until Seattle finally gets a team. I've been onboard since the beginning of the '95 season, but I'm starting to get more excited about a team here. Avs will still always hold a place in my heart, but not the same anymore. Especially after yet another strike-shortened season.

World Champion Seattle Seahawks football. It's an addiction, and there is no cure.Les Norton - gone but never forgotten. Rest in blue and green peace, my friend.

This. Until Seattle finally gets a team. I've been onboard since the beginning of the '95 season, but I'm starting to get more excited about a team here. Avs will still always hold a place in my heart, but not the same anymore. Especially after yet another strike-shortened season.

Yeah I had to order a cover for my phone before I destroyed a second one and elected for this

Unless Portland gets a team its the Av's for me. I lived in Denver when the "Nordiques" came to town and was assimilated. I got a killer tie die with the Grateful Dead Skull logo with an Avalanche logo inside and Grateful Deadmarsh on the back and one of Ray Bourques Mission 16 hats from back in the day. Deadmarsh was always my fave as I watched him grow when he played for the Winterhawks!